Printing Ink Manufacturing | InkJet, Inc.

Industrial printing is a diverse process that changes from one operation to the next. 

Key factors such as substrate choice, line configuration, facility environment, and image requirements vary from company to company. To ensure product coding success, companies must use ink formulas that offer:

  • Proper material compatibility
  • Adequate dry times
  • Highly visible colors
  • Reasonable protection against light, heat, abrasion, etc.

Ink manufacturers like InkJet, Inc. meet these needs by developing numerous formulas with different characteristics. Today, our robust offerings include specialty consumables and aftermarket alternatives for:

With these products, our clients can mark today’s most popular packaging forms, including

Below, we explain the basics of printing ink manufacturing and explore the different InkJet, Inc. formulas that we currently offer. 

Our Printing Ink Manufacturing Process

InkJet, Inc. has been creating high-quality ink formulas since 1989. Today, we distribute ink and industrial marking hardware to more than 55 countries around the world. With every offering, we deliver the consistent quality and competitive prices that we are known for. 

During the printing ink manufacturing process, we ensure that every formula can:

  • Remain stable during pressurization
  • Operate well without blocking the nozzle
  • Easily form distinct droplets
  • Adhere to the intended substrates

Beyond these qualities, we formulate inks with specific properties so they can better perform certain applications. Example properties include:

  • Quick drying times
  • Color choice
  • Contrast level
  • Resistance against specific elements (e.g., light, humidity, temperature, touch, etc.)

Here’s how we create our formulas:

InkJet, Inc.’s Printing Ink Manufacturing Process in Seven Steps
 
  1. Consider the Substrate and Application: We determine which applications the formula will be used for, how it will be processed, and which materials it should be compatible with.
     
  2. Introduce Resin: Resin is used as the base of the formula. All subsequent materials will bind to the resin as they are introduced.  
     
  3. Add Dye or Pigment: Either dye or pigment is used to color the formula. These colorants have slightly different properties that affect visibility and system compatibility.
 
  1. Introduce Solvent: The solvent dissolves the resin and dye, forming a viscous mixture.
     
  2. Introduce Additives and Mix Fluid: All additional additives and chemicals are added and mixed to create a homogenous solution.
     
  3. Filter the Solution: We run the solution through a filtration system to remove all insoluble elements.
     
  4. Test: We test the filtered ink solution to ensure that it completes the intended application. 

 

Using this process, we create dye formulas and pigmented formulas for various inkjet printers. 

 

Dye Inks for Continuous Inkjet and Thermal Inkjet Printers

InkJet, Inc. carries dozens of formulas for today’s most popular continuous inkjet (CIJ) and thermal inkjet (TIJ) printers. Not only do we create formulas for our DuraCode series printers, but we also create affordable aftermarket inks that are compatible with printers from:

  • Bestcode
  • Domino
  • Linx
  • Markem-Imaje
  • Videojet
  • Willet

Our offerings include MEK, ethanol, acetone, and ethanol-based formulas, among others. Formulas are available in a range of colors and many are formulated to meet the needs of specific industries, including:

Contact us today to discuss which formula will best suit your coding needs. 

Pigmented Formulas for Special Applications

Pigmented ink offers brighter hues, better color coverage, and greater fade resistance than dye ink. These qualities make pigmented ink ideal for coding products that will be exposed to extreme heat, light, and abrasion. 

Industries that frequently use pigmented inks include:

  • Aerospace part development
  • Automotive manufacturing
  • Wires and cable production
  • Electronic manufacturing

Here is a chart of our most popular pigmented inks. Contact our team today if you are interested in one of these formulas or have any ink-related questions.

Ink Name

Description

Color

Base

OEM

DOM i85 YEL

Opaque soft pigmented ink for wire and cable. Alkali-washable.

Yellow

MEK/Methanol

Domino

LIN85 YEL

Opaque soft pigmented ink for plastics and other substrates. Alkali/caustic-washable.

Yellow

MEK/Methanol

Linx

BC i600

Soft pigmented yellow ink for returnable bottles, glass, metal, plastics, coated paper, wire, and cable.

Yellow

MEK

Bestcode

BC i500 BLU

Pigmented blue ink for plastics and glass. Resists steam sterilization. For pigmented printers only.

Blue

MEK

Bestcode

BC i500 WHT

Pigmented blue ink for plastics and glass. Resists steam sterilization. For pigmented printers only.

White

MEK

Bestcode

BC i500 YEL

Pigmented blue ink for plastics and glass. Resists steam sterilization. For pigmented printers only.

Yellow

MEK

Bestcode

IMA85 YEL

Soft pigmented yellow ink for returnable bottles, wire, cable, and dark substrates. Caustic-washable.

Yellow

MEK/Methanol

Markem- Imaje

IMA5160

High contrast white pigmented ink for dark polyethylene, PVC, metal, wire, and cable.

White

MEK/Methanol

Markem- Imaje

OS490

General purpose ink ideal for dark color substrates; less than 2-second dry time.

White

MEK

Videojet

29 RED OPAQUE FT

High-contrast opaque pigmented red ink for dark plastics, wire, and cable.

Red

MEK/Methanol

Videojet

25P WHT

High-contrast opaque pigmented white ink for dark glass, plastics, polyethylene, and painted products. For pigmented printers only.

White

MEK/Methanol

Videojet

25P YEL

High-contrast opaque pigmented white ink for dark glass, plastics, polyethylene, and painted products. For pigmented printers only.

Yellow

MEK/Methanol

Videojet

29P LTBLU

High-contrast light blue pigmented ink for white and black substrates, PVC, acrylic, pet, polystyrene, and nylon. For pigmented printers only.

Light Blue

MEK/Methanol

Videojet

29P W

Durable white pigmented ink for dark substrates and wire/cable. For pigmented printers only.

White

MEK/Methanol

Videojet

47P YEL

Methanol and NMP-free high contrast opaque pigmented yellow ink for dark plastics and wire/cable. For pigmented printers only

Yellow

MEK

Videojet
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